The multiple sclerosis D-lemma
February 16, 2013 -- Brant Cebulla
One of the most anchoring arguments from vitamin D proponents calling for higher vitamin D supplementation for both the treatment of some diseases and for general recommended daily allowance is, “It’s safe. It may help, it may not, but it’s safe.” Opponents claim that we need more research, we need to understand exactly how safe and effective it is, before we increase recommendations.
These arguments escalate when we consider some of the diseases vitamin D may be implicated in; diseases like breast cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes and more. It has left patients and health care professionals asking, “So do we supplement, or not?”
In the use of vitamin D in medicine, there is probably no greater dilemma and debate currently than the tussle of whether or not to supplement patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Research, while evident that vitamin D is essential to some, is just okay to others.
Some of the best evidence supporting a role of vitamin D preventing MS is a pair of cohort-type studies that looked at large groups of people, how much vitamin D they were getting, and whether or not they developed MS. In the Nurses’ Health Study II, a cohort of over 95,000 women, those who took over 400 IU of vitamin D/day had a 40% reduced risk of developing MS than those who did not. In a prospective nested case-control study among 7 million US military personnel, there was a 41% decreased risk of developing MS for every 20 ng/ml increase in vitamin D levels.
This past December, a randomized controlled trial published in the journal Acta neurologica belgica found that vitamin D may prevent or delay onset of MS in those with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). CIS describes a patient with their first possible manifestation of MS, in which they have some type of neurologic symptom that hints MS may be on the way. Continue reading → (no membership required) Can vitamin D reverse nerve damage from diabetes?
February 15, 2013 -- John Cannell, MD
Diabetic neuropathy is a neurological disorder that is often associated with diabetes mellitus. A doctor at Alabama Medical School recently reported on a case of diabetic neuropathy treated with vitamin D. Continue reading → (membership required) Why do we call vitamin D, vitamin D?
February 13, 2013 -- Brant Cebulla
What is vitamin D? While the question would seem to call for a simple answer, the query hasn’t always prompted as straight forward a response as one might expect. Researchers often squabble over whether to classify vitamin D as a “vitamin,” a “hormone,” a “pro-hormone,” a “pre-hormone,” an essential “nutrient” and more. This might lead you to ask, then why do we call vitamin D, vitamin D? Continue reading → (membership required)
Are vitamin D supplement needs similar in Caucasian & African American women?
February 14, 2013 -- Kate Saley
The absorption and metabolism of vitamin D is comparable among Caucasian and African American women, according to new research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Continue reading → (no membership required) D deficiency & disease activity in patients with lupus
February 18, 2013 -- Kate Saley
Research published in Oman Medical Journal has found that people with systemic lupus erythematosis, or SLE, have a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency during times of active disease ‘flare.’ Continue reading →
(membership required)
American Heart Month
February 14, 2013 -- Vitamin D Council News
Did you know February is American Heart Month sponsored by the American Heart Association? Heart month is a time to educate people on what we can do to prevent heart problems and live heart-healthy lives. Continue reading → Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society and Osteoporosis Australia release new guidelines
February 18, 2013 -- Vitamin D Council News
Sunshine is good, according to new guidelines set by the Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society and Osteoporosis Australia (ANZBMS). Continue reading → Vitamin D supplement labels may be misleading
February 13, 2013 -- Vitamin D Council News
The potency of vitamin D supplements varies widely from what is advertized on the label, according to a study of 12 vitamin manufacturers. Continue reading → New suggested vitamin D label messages for vitamin D supplements in the UK
February 12, 2013 -- Vitamin D Council News
The Department of Health in the United Kingdom has issued new recommendations for label messages for vitamin D supplements. Continue reading → Breast cancer risk webinar
Feburary 19, 2013 -- Vitamin D Event
The next Grassroots health webinar features Dr Cedric F Garland, Dr PH, who will be discussing the question: "Serum vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of premenopausal breast cancer?"
Register here for today's webinar, which starts at 10am PST! Have a vitamin D question? You can submit your questions for Dr Grant when you register.
RSS Feed